~ Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away

Menu

Tag Archive | post surgery

I’m tired. Still. At almost three weeks post-surgery, I thought I would be a little farther along in my recovery than I am. My months of research didn’t tell me that, in effect, this is a major big deal for my body to handle. I mean, I knew that in my head, but nothing can prepare you for the reality of living it. I’ve been out of work for almost three entire weeks, and able to do… nothing. Nothing of substance anyway. I look at all the things around my house, inside and out, that need to be done (cleaned, rearranged, organized) and I can do none of it. I try. Sometimes I can accomplish small, menial tasks, but most days no. Anything that requires lifting, bending, stretching ~ is extremely painful. So is daytime television! Just this week I’ve gotten back into my sewing room and have been able to do a little bit of cutting and sewing. I get exhausted quickly and easily. My insides feel like they’re falling out. Gravity is currently my enemy. The pain to stand and walk is stupid bad, and the only relief I can get is from wearing my Spanx – like 24/7. I have faith that it will get better.

My new way of eating is settling in, however. Thankfully. I’m taking these mega-vitamins in the morning, they’re specifically for bariatric patients and our “special needs”, as well as a probiotic from the same company. I’m able to eat about 2-4 ounces of semi-solid foods now and keep it down. My diet currently consists of: Sugar free pudding, sugar free popsicles, scrambled eggs (1 per meal), Spam (minced and usually eaten with an egg), pureed carrots, minced chicken (Tyson packets), and I’m hoping to add in some cheddar cheese and maybe some other vegetables this week. I also drink Premiere Protein “shakes” and Clear drinks, to help me get all the protein in that I can. I drink on those all day… well, except for the “30 Minute Rule”. Bariatric patients are supposed to drink all day long, pretty much constantly, to keep hydrated. But we have to stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal, and cannot drink again until 30 minutes after the meal. You don’t drink before the meal to ensure the best chances of protein/vitamin absorption by having an empty stomach when you eat. You don’t drink after your meal because the liquid will wash all of the vitamins/minerals/protein out of your stomach before they’ve had the chance to be absorbed. You also are at greater risk of dumping either way. Just “everyday eating” takes a great deal of planning, concentration and conscientiousness. It ain’t easy!

So anyone who would think these past 3 weeks off work has been enjoyable, think again. It’s been anything BUT enjoyable. It’s been hard work trying to assist my body to heal, learning an entirely new way of eating for life, and adjusting to my “new best friend”, my “pouch” that is my stomach. It only holds 4 ounces at a time, BTW. About ¼ cup or ½ cup. Think about that if you want to know what I’m going through.

Almost forgot… I’ve had my first “dumping” episode on Sunday. What bothers me most is I don’t even know why I dumped. I’ve been so careful to follow all the rules and safety precautions, but it happened anyway. I had a scrambled egg for lunch, nothing else, and went outside to try to do a small task. Task was completed, I was breathless and came back inside and it began. Cold sweats, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and weakness. Fortunately, I did not actually vomit. But the rest was violent enough to put me to bed for several hours. From that I’ve learned that you can and should take all measures necessary to avoid dumping, but it can and will still happen at random, with no notice. No rhyme or reason. I just need to know that this will be a part of my life, for the rest of my life.

Stats: I lost 63 lbs PRE-SURGERY since last fall, then another 27 lbs since surgery August 2nd. I’m currently at a standstill for about 3-4 days.